While we’ve left the warm, sunny, 60-70 degree weather of the fall behind, along with sundresses and skirts, the turn of the semester has also included a turn of something else- a new fashion scene. 

While it’s hard for personal style to stand out when covered by a big winter puffer, somehow the girls (and guys) of Bucknell seem to still keep the fashion mill running. While personal style differs from person to person, it’s a pretty common theme that Bucknell students like to dress up for class. Throughout every season, Bucknellian’s style of dress might shift with the ever-changing temperatures of mid Pennsylvania, yet, there’s one item of fashion that has seemed to defy both season and occasion: the Parke Sweatshirt. 

This unassuming mock neck might not look like the fashion scene’s new obsession, but the brand’s style of dropping a limited quantity of their products create a scarcity that elicits anticipation and demand. This scheme, famously used by brands like Supreme and Skims, is a relatively new marketing trend used by brands. While this strategy is good at creating demand, it raises the question of whether the collective want for Parke is because of the actual quality and style of the sweatshirt, or if it’s due to their marketing. 

My roommate and Parke enthusiast, Emma Williamson ’28 who has been buying sweatshirts from the brand for the past two years, claims that before the recent Parke “hype” the brand’s unique mock-neck sweatshirt was what originally drew her in. Parke’s beginning as a recycled denim brand was original and new but in recent times, I feel like it’s grown into just another overpriced sweatshirt brand with a girl’s middle name on it. In my opinion, the brand’s originality of their recycled denim focus has turned into what makes the most money, which is their sweatshirts. 

Parke’s curated Instagram feed and picture-perfect founder, Chelsea Parke Kramer, has definitely influenced the brand’s success through her own social media following, advertising a lifestyle that I think the brand wants to emulate through its clothing. Parke is not just a sweatshirt but advertises and represents Chelsea Kramer’s fantastic personal style. 

While my opinions might be influenced with annoyance for missing the Valentines’ Day drop, the real test will be whether the Parke brand continues to stay in conversation or if it turns out to be something we all forget next year.